OSHA Publishes Recommended Construction Safety Guidelines

Construction workers are exposed to a variety of safety hazards on a daily basis, some of which include heat exhaustion, cuts, bruises, slip-and-falls, electrocution and more. Unfortunately, construction is also one of the deadliest industries in which to work.

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), roughly one in five work-related fatalities occur in the construction industry. In 2014, for instance, more than 4,300 construction workers were killed on the job, which is more than any other industry. In an effort to curb these numbers, OSHA has released a new set of voluntary guidelines.

The document, titled "Recommended Practices for Safety & Health Programs in Construction," won't change any existing legal requirements for employers, nor will they affect any existing safety rules. Rather, it provides voluntary recommendations that employers can follow to improve workplace safety. Among other things, OSHA recommends employers emphasize the importance of workplace training, as well as plan emergency responses and thorough job site inspections.

"Establishing a safety and health program at your job site is one of the most effective ways of protecting your most valuable asset: your workers. Losing workers to injury or illness, even for a short time, can cause significant disruption and cost—to you as well as the workers and their families. It can also damage workplace morale, productivity, turnover, and reputation," wrote OSHA in its new guidelines.

Why is this important? Well, the guidelines are completely voluntary, meaning employers are not required by law to follow them. Doing so, however, will almost certainly prove beneficial for a few reasons. For starters, it protects construction workers from serious injury (or even death). And it also reduces the risk of costly fines associated with safety violations.

We've talked about this before on our blog, but it's worth mentioning again that OSHA is stepping up its enforcement efforts. Earlier this year, for instance, OSHA announced that it was raising the fines for safety violations -- and not just by a small amount. The new fines are roughly 78% more costly than before, which can take a toll on many businesses.

If you're an employer in the construction industry, you should check out OSHA's new recommended safety practices guidelines. Although voluntary, implementing these practices in your workplace creates a safer environment while helping you avoid costly fines.